Friday, December 03, 2010

A Shirlington dog groomer filed a federal lawsuit (PDF) Thursday accusing the Arlington County zoning board of violating her freedom of speech by ordering her to alter whimsical cartoon mural of dogs, bones and paw prints on the back wall of her business.

Kim Houghton, owner of Wag More Dogs, said she paid a local artist $4,000 to paint the 60-foot by 16-foot mural, which faces a dog park behind her shop at 2606 S. Oxford Street.

Houghton said the board told her to cover the mural at her own expense, face fines or closure, or make the mural a government sign by adding "Welcome to Shirlington Park's Community Canine Area" in four-foot-high letters.

John Kramer, spokesman for the Arlington-based Institute for Justice, a libertarian group, said it took the case to "strike a blow for government-harassed entrepreneurs nationwide."

"Arlington County is trying to make Kim choose between her right to speak and her right to earn an honest living," Kramer added.